This year will be an exciting year for the iPhone. While it’s almost a guarantee that we’ll get a refresh of the main flagship lineup, this could be the year that Apple officially enters the foldable phone arena. But if you were hoping to grab it alongside the other models in September, you might have to wait. This is because according to Apple analyst Tim Long, he expects the foldable iPhone to ship in December.
Foldable iPhone might ship in December
In Long’s research note for investment bank Barclays, the analyst believes that the foldable iPhone might only ship in December. This means there’s a slight delay between the launch and actual release. Typically, Apple releases its iPhones a couple of weeks after it has been announced. But in this case, Apple could be holding back on the foldable iPhone’s release.
It is unclear why that is the case, but maybe Apple wants to give its regular iPhones more time in the spotlight before releasing the more expensive model. This is also not the first time this has happened. Back in 2017, Apple launched the iPhone 8 and iPhone X, but the latter was released only two months later in November.
Also, it’s safe to assume that the complexity of manufacturing the foldable iPhone could be a potential reason behind the delayed launch. Apple probably wants to get it right the first time round. After all, after all the hype and rumors, not to mention the exorbitant price tag associated with the phone, Apple doesn’t want to launch a dud.
But that’s not all
What’s interesting is that in Long’s research note, he mentions the iPhone 18 Plus. This is odd because last year, Apple launched its iPhone 17 series. The lineup consisted of the base model, the Pro, and the Pro Max. There was no iPhone 17 Plus. It was speculated then that the iPhone Air would replace the Plus series.
However, since its release, things haven’t been looking good for the iPhone Air. This has led to rumors and speculation that Apple might discontinue the lineup. However, there are rumors suggesting that Apple could try again. But could they be bringing the iPhone 18 Plus back in the meantime? Either way, we won’t know until next year.
This is because Apple has reportedly switched up its launch schedule. Instead of releasing all models at once, the company will stagger it. This year will see the launch of the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max and the foldable, followed by the base model in 2027.
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